Introduction

For most of us, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (formerly more well known as Jalan Ipoh) are renowned as melting pot of foods. It is hotspot for foodies to find cheap and good Chinese, Malay and Indians foods ranging from tai chow, chicken rice, dim sum, curry and prawn mee to delicious Naan Cheese and Tandoori Chicken. Anyway back to the topic, this is not a food blog but a property blog!

Jalan Ipoh also a hunting spot for developers. For example, UOA has 28 acres with estimated GDV of RM3billion which the land they acquired since 2014. On top of this, do read Propcafe^TM review on current launches Rica Sentul @ Jalan Ipoh by FajarBaru click link here and The Pano @ Jalan Ipoh by OCR click the link here .

Another developer has joined in the bandwagon, SCP Group recently launch The Birch @ Jalan Ipoh.

Developer Background

SCP stands for Systematic Corporate Parking and their core business is carpark operator in commercial building such as offices and mall and like many other companies for past 7-8 years has branched out a property development division. The excerpt of their first few development

In the space of two years, SCP Property has kick-started four projects — its Dataran Wangsa shoplots and Damaisari terraced bungalows in Wangsa Maju, SCP-Centro flexi-offices near Grand BlueWave Hotel in Shah Alam, and Inanam Capital shop-offices in Kota Kinabalu.
Read more at link here

Soon, they start to develop high rises and their first high rise was Lido Residency in Cheras. They continue to develop more high rise (and higher density as well J). For more details of the past and current launches, readers could visit developer website here

Location and Accessibility

For the macro location and accessibility, readers is advised to read the Propcafe^TM Review: Rica Sentul and click the link here. To be more exact The Birch by SCP is located in Jalan Kasipillay, approximately 300m from Jalan Ipoh.

The location

The distance of major landmark

Surrounding and Amenities

The freehold 1.8 acres commercial land The Birch is flanked by Sungai Batu, Court28 and Putra Majestic. On the far end, there landed house with empty piece of unoccupied land.

The Birch: Surrounding

Plenty of amenities and eateries along Jalan Kasipillay and you will never get midnight hunger staying in this area. There are at least 3 mamak shops and indian restaurants just at Putra Majestic ground floor alone.

Along the 300m stretch Jalan Kasipillay, there abundant of eateries for you to choose. And do not forget the menara KLH, one of the first condominium in Jalan Ipoh.

Along Jalan Kasipillay and Menara KLH

The famous Hokkien Mee at Ming Hoe just located at Jalan Suppiah

Along Jalan Suppiah

There is international college and hotel at Putra Majestic.

Marefat International School and Midtown Villa Hotel

Two lanes road which always occupied by cars on both sides creating bottleneck.

Propcafe^TM noticed the unkempt playground and green lung just next to the Birch site. The ground was broken and overgrown grass and plant. It may seems that snake are lurking around Lol. Perhaps SCP could adopt and rejuvenate the playground and green lung for the benefit of the local community? And hopefully future residents of The Birch.

Masterplan

The Birch consists of 681 units in two 41 storeys block built on 1.8 acre. Each block has 3+1 lifts to serve the residents. Despite the commercial freehold land status, there’s no commercial shops at the ground which is better from privacy point of view. This is for better security as well as dedicated guardhouse can be provided for the development.

Artist Impression Grand Entrance

Block	Total Units	Density	Lifts	Lift Ratio
A	324	378 units/acre	3+1	81/lift
B	357		3+1	89/lift

The density of the project is whopping 378units/acre, quite similar project such as TR Residence, M Vertica @ Cheras etc. To put in perspective, the density is almost double the Rica Sentul by Fajarbaru.

The carpark is from level 1 to 7 with all the facilities on facilities deck on level 8. All the residential units located at level 9 to 41. The size is ranging from 611-983sqft with 2, 3 and 3+ 1 bedrooms configuration.

The scale model is staying quite close to the artist impression of the façade. On first impression, Propcafe^TM feel SCP has position The Birch as no frill condominium. The façade is quite monotonous and eventually in 10-15 years, the Birch will blend quite well with older condos such as KLH, Putra Majestic, Viva and Court28.

Artist Impression versus the Scale Model

Each developer has their signature feature in each of the development. For example, SDB likes to incorporate sculpture in their development. SCP spare no expenses in offering grand drop off area and luxury lobby and cozy waiting area cladded in marble in their past development such as KL Trade Center and The Birch is no exception. Looking at the artist impression below, residents surely will look forward to welcome guests to their abode.  

Artist Impression Drop Off Area and Lobby

Unit Layout

There are 5 layouts and each floor consists of 11 units/floor. The layout is designed as efficient possible e.g. the smallest size, type A1 comes with split wash room and toilet so that both can be used in same time.

Unit Type	Size, sqft	Total Units	Configuration	Carpark
A1	611	196	2 bedrooms, split bathroom	1 (2 carparks for selective units)
A2	688	130	2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
B	819	293	3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Ca	960	31	3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
C	983	31	3 +1 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

 

To maximize the view (which at first place there is not much of open view anyway except pool view) developer has tilt and stagger the building footprint as per the key plan below.

The Birch Key Plan

This arrangement seems to maximize the building footprint and also allows the more privacy as lesser units are looking directly into each other. This arrangement also allows the unit avoid direct facing to neighbors such as Putra Majestic and Court28. Also by such arrangement, majority of the units do not have either morning sun east direction or evening sun west direction.

Propcafe^TM does not have comment on the layout. SCP has tried to be as efficient possible by squeezing bedrooms, yard, foyer etc. However one feature that caught the eyes is the sliding door with grills without the balcony for type A1 and A2.

Unit Layout

There are not much of view except if you choose high floor to look beyond Putra Majestic. For the inner facing, low floors is probably a better choice.

The Birch View and Orientation

In general, developer just provide two units of aircon. The clear ceiling height is 9’ 6” and tiles are provided throughout the unit. Porcelain tiles is not exactly Propcafe^TM favorite material in bedrooms. Kindly check with friendly SA what and type of fittings are included in the unit. For example, the rain shower, shower screen and mirror in the show unit bathroom are not included.

Enjoy the photos!

Show Unit for Type A2

Show Unit for Type B

Facilities

All facilities are on level 8. The selling point is the Olympic length swimming pool which transverse almost the length of the development. Playground, BBQ Deck, Gym, Multipurpose Hall are the standard offering by almost every condominium.

Artist Impression of facilities

Price

Currently, only block B is opened for sale. The price is approximately RM600psf +/- depends on the level which is pretty standard for a mature area and close proximity to MRT station. There is attractive financing package where you only pay RM1k down payment IF you are first time purchaser and entitled of 90% loan financing.

At the moment of writing the booking is just opened and plenty of units are still available for sale. The maintenance fee and sinking fund is expected to be RM0.33psf.

The Birch @ Jalan Ipoh is eligible under the government’s initiative to promote home ownership under HOC 2019.

Under HOC 2019, purchasers are entitled of the following benefit which bring a lot of saving! This never be a better time to purchase property in Malaysia!

 

• A minimum of 10% discount

• The stamp duty exemption on Instruments of Transfer and Instruments on Securing Loans

• Free Legal fee on SPA and Loan

Conclusion

The Birch will take 42 months construction period and expected to be completed in January.2023. The timing is just nice to coincide with maturity of MRT2 operation. However judging from SCP previous development, it is expected that The Birch will be completed way earlier than Jan.2023. SCP always start the construction before launch a project and in fact as of today, The Birch is at 2^nd Level despite the development just opened for booking recently.

Current status of The Birch Construction

We think the development is suitable for first time buyers, investors who looking forward for the MRT to bring the catalyst of rental and capital appreciation. Jalan Ipoh is very convenient and accessible. However the micro location and demographic of locality may not the cup of tea for many home buyers. Furthermore the high density of the development is an ongoing concern.

The Birch Show Gallery

Happy Hunting!